Legislation

The Expanding Seniors’ Access to PFAS Testing Act ensures Medicare beneficiaries will have no out-of-pocket costs for physician-ordered blood tests detecting PFAS "forever chemicals." This section amends the Social Security Act to waive all cost-sharing requirements for this specific screening. Beginning January 1, 2028, Medicare will cover 100% of the cost for PFAS testing.

The SHINE for Autumn Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve federal support for state-level stillbirth research and data collection. It authorizes grants for states to enhance surveillance, track risk factors, and build local capacity for analyzing stillbirth data, provided the information remains de-identified. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of standardized guidelines and educational materials regarding stillbirth awareness and risk factors, developed in consultation with experts and bereaved families.

The Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act of 2025 establishes several new grant programs managed by the Attorney General to address the fentanyl crisis. These grants will fund local law enforcement efforts to stop social media drug sales, support non-profit organizations in running public awareness campaigns, and equip officers to safely handle fentanyl exposure. The Act specifically allocates funds for enforcement, education, and officer protection related to the dangers of fentanyl.

The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to strengthen agriculture and natural resources programs at community colleges. These competitive grants will help two-year colleges build capacity for workforce training, education, and research. Priority will be given to colleges that partner with local agriculture businesses to provide students with hands-on experience. The Act authorizes $20 million annually to support these vital local and regional agricultural initiatives.

The Help Federal Employees During Shutdowns Act (Help FEDS Act) ensures that essential, non-paid federal employees working during a government shutdown can receive state unemployment compensation for the weeks they are actively working. This legislation mandates that the federal government fully reimburse states for all benefits paid out, plus administrative costs, directly from the Unemployment Trust Fund. Any employee who receives retroactive pay for a period they were also paid unemployment must repay those benefits to the state.

The Rail Passenger Fairness Act aims to restore Amtrak's statutory right to priority over freight trains on shared tracks, which has been frequently ignored by freight railroads, causing significant passenger delays. This bill grants Amtrak the direct authority to file civil lawsuits in federal court to enforce these crucial preference rights. By ensuring passenger trains run on time, the Act is expected to improve service reliability and generate substantial cost savings.

The Fraud Accountability and Recovery Act aims to combat large-scale fraud against the U.S. government by penalizing foreign countries that refuse to extradite convicted fraudsters or fail to assist in recovering stolen federal funds. This bill mandates the suspension of U.S. foreign assistance to non-cooperative nations, though the President retains a national security waiver. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of State to annually report on noncompliant countries and the amount of lost U.S. funds tied to their inaction.

The Stop RFK’s Bad Science Act mandates the immediate reinstatement of any National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants or awards that were terminated or suspended between January 20, 2025, and the enactment of this law. Reinstated funds must be disbursed to recipients within 30 days of request, and the budget period for these grants is automatically extended by one year. Exceptions to reinstatement only apply if the NIH Director finds evidence of financial mismanagement or research fraud by the recipient.

The Balanced Agricultural Support and Efficiency Act mandates a one-time update to farm base acres for covered commodities starting with the 2025 crop year. This update will use a five-year average of actual planted or prevented-planting history from 2020 through 2024. The bill also removes outdated references to "generic base acres" in existing agricultural law.

The Lower Internet Costs Act mandates that broadband providers must clearly display the total, final price of internet service in both advertisements and on monthly bills. This legislation also prohibits providers from charging certain specified fees, such as those related to network maintenance or regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the bill requires clear disclosure of future price increases for customers on introductory internet plans.

The Stand Strong for Medicare Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage to include essential fall prevention items such as grab bars, non-slip mats, and shower chairs. This legislation removes the requirement for a physician's order for these specific safety items to be covered. Furthermore, payments made by Medicare for these items will be protected from automatic budget sequestration cuts.

The Picket Line Protection Act of 2025 makes strike benefits received from a labor organization tax-free for federal income tax purposes. This change applies to compensation received after January 1, 2025, intended to cover lost wages during a strike. The bill aims to provide financial relief to striking workers by exempting these payments from taxation.

The **Inspired to Serve Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen civic engagement, service pathways, and national readiness. It establishes dedicated funding to revitalize K-12 civic education and service-learning programs nationwide, while simultaneously streamlining opportunities across military, national, and public service sectors. Furthermore, the Act modernizes federal hiring, enhances benefits for service members and national service participants, and updates mobilization systems to ensure the nation can effectively deploy critical skills during emergencies.

The Emergency Responder Protection Act establishes a 1,000-foot protected zone around emergency response locations, severely restricting immigration enforcement activities near disaster sites and aid centers. Immigration officers generally cannot conduct enforcement actions within this zone unless facing exigent circumstances, such as imminent risk of death or violence. The bill mandates strict operational rules, annual training for officers, and detailed reporting requirements to the DHS Inspector General and Congress regarding any enforcement actions taken near these protected areas. Violations of this rule may result in the termination of removal proceedings and the inadmissibility of evidence gathered.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as "National 4-H Week." It recognizes 4-H as a vital youth development organization that empowers nearly six million young people through hands-on learning in areas like science, health, and civic engagement. The bill celebrates 4-H's role in fostering confident, compassionate leaders across the nation.

This resolution expresses the formal support of Congress for designating October 8, 2025, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day." It serves as a non-binding statement recognizing the critical role of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in addressing energy, environmental, and economic challenges. The bill highlights the clean, efficient, and versatile applications of this technology across transportation and power generation. Ultimately, it encourages public awareness and continued American innovation in the hydrogen sector.

The Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025 significantly strengthens pipeline safety and environmental standards by mandating rapid leak shut-off technology and considering climate impact in regulations. It dramatically increases public transparency by requiring operators to disclose extensive safety data and establishes new avenues for community engagement with regulators. Finally, the Act enhances accountability by empowering private citizens to sue for safety violations and updating the civil penalty structure for non-compliance.

This resolution officially designates September 2025 as Gynecologic Cancers Awareness Month to highlight the serious impact of cancers like ovarian and endometrial cancer. By promoting awareness, the bill aims to encourage earlier diagnosis, support vital research efforts, and ultimately improve health outcomes for women affected by these diseases. This designation encourages the public to learn more about risk factors and prevention.

The American Artificial Intelligence Leadership and Uniformity Act aims to establish a national framework to ensure U.S. leadership in AI development while preventing a patchwork of conflicting state regulations. It mandates the creation of a comprehensive National AI Action Plan to streamline innovation and set security standards. Crucially, the bill institutes a five-year moratorium on state and local laws that restrict the interstate use of AI models and automated decision systems. This legislation seeks to balance responsible governance with fostering a predictable environment for technological advancement.

The SEVER Act of 2025 amends existing law to grant the U.S. government the authority to deny entry visas to individuals designated as representatives to the United Nations. This denial power is specifically triggered if the individual is subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13876, as it stands on September 16, 2025. In essence, the bill strengthens visa enforcement by adding specific sanctions compliance as a mandatory ground for inadmissibility for UN representatives.